How To Radon-Seal A Sump Pump

Radon may be effectively removed from a basement using sump pumps. But how could a sump pump be sealed? After sealing, can you open it again? Why shouldn’t you be around radon?

A crucial step in defending yourself from the hazardous radon water evaporation is to seal the sump pump. A removable cover is typically included with a sump pump. You can adhere to the directions listed below to seal a sump pump:

Unplug the sump pump and shut off the power source.
To ensure that the sump pump will close properly, clean the entire perimeter.
Cover the sump pump with a lid that may be placed on it.
Seal the lid by applying silicon caulk.
To make sure the lid is snug, push it down.

In this post, we’ll examine sump pump radon sealing in more detail. We’ll go through its significance and why you should limit the amount of radon in your basement. There is a ton more to discover.

How To Radon-Seal A Sump Pump

The sump pump needs to be sealed in order to keep radon out of your basement. Typically, a cover is given when the sump pump is installed. Imagine a big underground basin being buried to collect wastewater and route it into the public sewer. A sump pump basically serves that purpose.

If your contractor did not create a lockable sump pump cover, you need find the proper size rubber lid for the sump pump. You can ask the contractor for advice on what to buy.

For a portable rubber lid, silicon caulk might be required. Silicon caulk will soon harden if you squeeze around the lid’s perimeter.

Will A Sump Pump Freeze During The Winter

Yes, the cold winter weather can cause some sump pump components to freeze. The sump pump can stop working as a result, and the lid might even become difficult to open.

You can keep the water flowing through the drainage system to prevent the sump pump from freezing. As a result, the freezing temperature will be reduced and ice won’t develop inside the drainpipes. It should just take a minimal amount of water to drain. When it is warmer outside or the winter is ended, simply stop emptying the water.

What Is The Health Effect Of Radon?

Rocks and other earth components contain radon, a radioactive substance. Radon exposure can result in major health issues like lung cancer and other respiratory disorders. Therefore, it’s crucial to seal the sump pump and decrease the impacts of radon. Air quality is improved through radon reduction, particularly in basements.

The impact of radon on one’s health might not be immediately apparent. But over time, radon exposure symptoms will start to show themselves. They include a headache and a compromised immune system. Keep in mind that pets can’t communicate with humans about how they feel about their bodies, so radon can be damaging to them as well.

Radon levels are easily detectable, allowing you to determine whether a location is still safe.

However, other than installing a sump pump, there are other options to lower radon levels. You might think about increasing the airflow or doing more frequent cleanings in the basement. Check the basement wall for cracks as well. Stop the entry of radon by caulking those cracks.

What Is The Process Of Radon Mitigation?

One component of the mitigation system is a sump pump. There are more components that each have a distinct function in the mitigation process. See the details of the complete procedure below.

Wastewater Combines With Radon

Radon will first seep through the ground and insist on finding a route to evaporate. Although it is dangerous to leave the floor in such a state, damage to the basement floor makes it easier for radon to spread. The floor should be fixed, and you should let the sump pump do its work.

Within the sump pit, the radon will combine with the wastewater. The wastewater is gathered from the household drainage system, including the laundry room, bathroom, and sink. The dangerous gas will then be carried by the wastewater, making it simpler for the sump pump to force radon outside. This mixture is referred to as radon water.

At the very least, you must use your home’s drainage system to supply water for the sump pit. To combine radon and water, a single use of the kitchen sink should be sufficient.

Sump Pump Starts To Operate

The water will automatically be pushed toward the output pipe once the sump pump reaches the necessary water level.

It will exert sufficient pressure to enable the water to be lifted up the pipe. To manually turn on the switch and start the sump pump, though.

Up until the sump pit is completely empty, you could hear a sound that signifies the pump’s motion. If there isn’t enough water to push, the sump pump will shut off once more. If not, you should see if the pump is damaged. Continuous pumping could indicate a problem. Try turning the sump pump on and off if that’s the case, or contact your contractor.

Expulsion And Evaporation

The discharge pipe connecting to the primary sewer system outside your home will then let the radon water exit. Then, somewhere between the sump pit and the discharge pipe, you’ll discover a check valve. The check valve permits the flow of radon water but locks the pipe subsequently to prevent the water from returning to the sump pit.

A fan that aids in evaporating the leftover radon gas inside can be seen on the top area of the discharge pipe. The gas will then be forced to escape over the roof or close to the local drainage system by the fan. This prevents radon from becoming trapped inside the pipe, which could lead to radon leaks in the event that the discharge pipe breaks.

How Should A Sump Pit Overflow Be Handled?

A sump pit that is overflowing presents a major issue. Put on a protective mask and leave the area right once if you see that your basement is submerged in radon water. You shouldn’t worry; we’ll explain what to do if the sump pit overflows to you. Consider the following actions:

To stop the sump pit from getting more water, don’t drain any water.
The sump pump should be carefully turned off or unplugged while wearing gloves and a face mask. To protect your feet from radon exposure, waterproof boots are even better.
To determine if the pump will force the radon water into the pipe, try resetting it. If not, the pump can be damaged.
By removing the check valve from the pipe, you may inspect it. To get the radon water flowing once again, you must unclog it or replace it.
You can get assistance from your contractor by calling them if things don’t seem to be going smoothly.

Is It Necessary To Empty The Sump Pit?

You should clean and empty the sump pit at least every three months. If the sump pit is always full, the radon water can remain there and never drain down the discharge line. Additionally, cleaning aids in maintaining the sump pump motor’s high quality.

To clean the sump pit, just adhere to the methods listed below:

Uncover the sump pit after switching off the sump pump and removing it from the main power source.
To drain the residual dirt inside the discharge pipe, loosen it while using a mask and safety gloves.
Get rid of the mud and other solid debris to clean the sump pit. To prevent leaking radon water on the basement floor, place the solid waste in an old bucket or plastic bag.
To remove the last of the water, use a vacuum.
Recover the sump pit’s cover after tightening the discharge pipe.

Conclusion

We learned how to seal your sump pump for a radon mitigation system in this article. We discussed its significance, particularly with regard to ventilation and health issues.

We discovered that sump pumps sometimes freeze in the cold and offered a simple solution. We also described the process of radon mitigation.

The last thing you discovered was what to do if the sump pit overflowed. Keep in mind that for optimal system mitigation, the sump pit must be kept clean.